Gearless differential



Dec. 11, 1923. 1 1,477,236

I E. M.. BELL GEARLESS DIFFERENTIAL Filed May 4, 1.922 6 SheetsSheet 1 EdwafdMlElel L fltfoz new Dec; 11, 1923. 1,477,236

E. M. BELL GEARLESS DIFFERENTIAL Filed May 4, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 E dwar-dN.E|e'L1 Dec. 11, 1923. 1,477,236

E. M. BELL GEARLESS DIFFERENTIAL 'F1led May 4, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 gin 0241101 Quota/211- Dec. 11 1923. 1,477,236

v E. M. BELL GEARLESS DIFFERENTIAL Filed May 4, 1.922 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 gn ue'nloz Edward M. E E 11 (14101 new Z r Wu 6 5 Q M. m M E w E M m 5 =5: .6 7 w iiill 'Filed May 4,

E M BELL GEARLESS DIFFERENTIAL Dec. 11 1923.

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Patented Dec. 11, 1923.

UNITED STATES.

EDWARD M. BELL, OF MILL SPRING, NORTH CAROLINA.

GEARLESS DIFFERENTIAL.

Application filed May 4,

To all w/zom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD M. BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hill Spring, in the county of Polk and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements'in Gearless Differential, of' which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved gearless differential. v

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a novel type of gearless differential, operating upon the principle of the friction clutch, wherebypower from a drive member may be effectively transmitted to a driven member, such as a wheel, for rotation of the latter in forward or reverse direction. v

A further object of the invention is the provision of a friction clutch type of differential mechanism which may be utilized in connection with. the propelling of motor vehicles, susceptible of attachment to vehicle wheels in order. that power from an axle may be transmitted to the driven ve-' hicle wheels, so that when the vehicle istalring a turn, the inside driven wheel may pull the load of the vehicle, by permitting the outside wheel to rotate faster; thus operating much in the same manner as the con:

- v'entional type of gear differential, but not subject to the effect of the conventional gear differential, in its inability to properly transmit power to the driven wheels if the wheels have unequal traction.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a device for transmission of power from a drive to a driven member through a novel type of clutch mechanism, which includes an expansible device, for

selective adjustment to engage the driven va part'of this Specification, wherein 1922. Serial N0. 558,441.

similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of therear portion of an automotive vehicle, showing the manner in which the improved device may be utilized in connection with vehicle wheels for driving the same from the power of a drive axle, in order to propel the vehicle.

Figure 2 is a transverse cross sectional view, taken on the line 22 of Figure 4.

and showing parts of the improved gearless differential in position for forward rotation of a driven member,

Figure 3 is a transverse cross sectional view-altogether similar to that illustrated in Figure 2, however, illustrating the de tails of the improved mechanism in position for reverse rotation of the driven member.

Figure 4 isa cross sectional view, taken through the improved gearless differential longitudinally of the drive shaft thereof, and taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a reducedcross sectional view taken through the improved gearless dif ferential, showing several details thereof.

Figure 6 is afragmentary cross sectional view taken on the'line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a transverse cross sectional view through a modified form of this invention.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional View, taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7, showing the cooperating parts of the modified form of the invention.

Figure 9 is a reduced transverse cross sectional view, showing important details of the modified form.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of a detail of the preferred form of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustrationis shown the preferred and modified forms of this invention, the letter A designates the preferred form of gearless differentiahadapted for use in connection with an axle or drive shaft B for the operation of a driven member C, such as a vehicle wheel. The improved gearless differential A preferably includes a clutch arrangementD and a shifting arrangement E. The modified form of differential F may likewise be used in connection with. an axle or drive shaft Gr for the driving of the "allyasisillustrated in'Figure l ofthe draw- The ordinary axle housing 12 is, in such instance, provided for the drive shaft ings.

or axle B.

Referring to the clutch arrangement D of the improved gearless differential A, the

same preferably includes a drum memberadapted for attachment as by bolts 21 to the driven member C. The annular flange 22is provided as a part of the drum 20 extending outwardly from a side of the driven member '0 and havingthe drive member B axially disposed therethrough. A sleeve 25 'is providedupon the drive shaft B as by keying at 26,;said sleeve 25 having circumferential series ofattachingears 27 and 28 thereon forpivotally receiving arms 29 and 30 respectively. The arms29 are all arranged-in the same plane circumferentially abo'ut the dr'iveshaft B, as'are-also the arms -30-tirranged in a common plane about the III? 'shaftB. Any n'umber of'these arms 29 and 30 may beprovidechand it is preferredthat the free ends of the arms 29 and 30 pivotally" receive segmental clutch shoes'32 and 33. Thus, thearm 29has an arcuate shoe '32 pivoted on the free end thereof upon its concaved side to ears 36*which extend therefrom centrally ofthe ends of the arcuate shoe 32flsimilarly, each of the arms 30 is pivotedupon the concaved side of a clutch shoe 33, as by ears 37 extending from said concaved side intermediate the ends of the shoe 33. The shoes" 32 are provid'ed upon their convex sides with brake lining material 38, and the proximate-ends of adjacent shoes 32 are 1 connected as by tension-springs 40, so that the segmentalshoes '32 "areconnected in circular formation adjacent "the -'intei"io1sui face 41 of the drum flange 22.

In this position, the arms 29 are all tangen- "tially disposed with respect to the drive member B and the sleeve 25 attached thereto jsaid arnis 29 all inclining in the same general directi'oii circumferentially of the *sleeve 2'5, Th'e'clutch'shoes 33 of the-arms are each provided with linings 44 upon the "conve'x sides thereof, 1 and the approxi- ,gmats ends of adjacent shoes-33 are connected Seqffiehthli shoes'33 are arranged in ring like "f i matio'n' about the interior surface 41 of as the tension springs e5, so that said hereinafter described.

shaft B. It is preferred that there be an equal number 01" arms 29 and 30, disposed so that an arm 29 and its adjacent arm-3O are in X-shaped relation, as can readily be seen from Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings.

Links 47 are provided for pivotal connection at their ends to adjamently positioned arms 29 and 30, so that saidarms-"are cooperatively supported in X-shaped relation in order that the shoes 32and 33 may cooperate in driving. of the drum 'QOibOt'h forwardly and in reverse direction, as will be Referringto the shifting arrangement E, the same includes a housing 50 which is fixedly mounted -with respect to :the driven drum 20, as upon the axle housing 12. A plurality of radial arms 52 areprovided circumferentially about the sleeve 25',preferably being castyintegral therewith. Each one-of these radialarms52 pivotally receives an attachment 54, which may be of w ire bent into U-shaped formation, so-that arms 55-and 56 Y are provided uponsaid attachments 54;. A

spring 57,preferablyof the spiral type, is provided for eachattachment 54, having the same attached atone end to the'freeend of the arm 55, and beingatta'ehedat its other end toa'n armeo atthe point of'connection of link 47 with'said arm '30. Thus, an -at- 'tachment 54 and aspring 57 cooperating Y therewith is provided for each PELlI OfIflIlIIS 29 and 30, forcooperating in such manner that the clutch shoes 32 and SS-maybe controlled for selective engagement againstthe -drumn1ember 20.

In order to oscillate the attachments 54 that the clutch shoes 32-and 33 may be selectively controlled, a shifting clutch :mec-ha nism '58 is provided for cooperation there with, and which includes a plate-59 which is oscillatively mounted upon-thedrive member B. Theplate 59-ispreferablyprovided with radial slots 60 therein, one of-saidslots bei ng provided for each attachment 54,:and. to receive a stem 61. upon theouter free endvofthe attachment arm 56 a nut 62 being provided for detachable engagement upon said stem 61, whereby the same may be retained in the slot 60. A relatively wide portion63 of said slot 60 is provided: for receiving-said nut 62 in order to'prevent detachment of the stem 61. Thus,each of the attachments 54 is slid ably pivoted within a slot 600i the-clutch plate 59.- A second platefidis preferably :provided as apartofxthe clutch device 58,

adapted for cooperating against a lined face 66 of the other plate 59. This plate 65 is preferably provided with detachable stems 67 which are reciprocably disposed in sockets 68 of the housing 50, whereby the plate 65 may be advanced longitudinally of the drive member B for frictional engagement with the plate 59. The plate 65 is, of course, prevented from rotational movement about the drive member B by means of the stems 67. Compression springs 68 are provided upon each of the stems 67 cooperating intermediate heads 69 of said stems and the partition 70 of the housing 50 in which the sockets 68 are disposed, so that the movable plate 65 is normally retained out, of'engagement with its cooperating clutch plate 59. Suitable bell crank levers 71 are pivoted as at 72 within the housing 50, having one arm 73 thereof adapted for cooperation against the head 69 of a plate stem 67, and having the other arm 74 extending outwardly of a recess? 5 in the housing 50, to receive a control rod 76. The

control rod 7 6 may lead to any suitable location. "Cables may be substituted in lieu of the rods '76, whereby an operator may rock the bell crank levers 71 for forcing the plate 65 longitudinally of the drive member 13 into engagement with the friction lining 66 of the clutch plate '59.

In operating the preferred form of gearless differential, assuming the differential A with the flange 22, because of the tangential relation which the arms 29 bear to the sleeve and drive member B, as is obv1ous from the drawings. In this position, the springs 57 are under tension, whereby the saline exert a pulling force upon the arms 30, tending to rock the same upon the, cars 27 of the sleeve 25. The attachments 54, are, of course, held in a fixed relation, by reason of the stem ends 61., which are fixed in slidinn; relation within the slots 60, so that'the c'lfec-t of said springs 57 is to maintain the shoes 33 out'of engagement with the drum flange 22. Due to the link connection 47 the arms 29 are held by the force of the springs 57, so that the segmental shoes 32 are, on the other hand, forced into engagement with the drum flange 22. In this manner, the attachments 54 and springs 57 associated therewith are provided for holding the clutch shoes 82 into engagement with the drum 29, and to retain the shoes out of engagement therewith. The shoes 32 thus being locked, so to speak, with the drum 29 permit the. driven member C to be operated through rotation of the drive n'iember as can readily be understood. The force with. which the springs 57 hold the shoes 32 in engagement with the drum flange is not such a force will prevent the drum or driven member C from rotating faster than the drive member B, will he dcsira-ble in case the improved differential ft is used for vehicle propelling purposes.

In driving the wheel or member t in reverse direction, as is illustrated in Figuiu 3 of the drawings. it is first necessary for th operator to rock the bell crank levers 'i' 1 so that the clutch plates 65 and 59 are held in engagement as above described. Such action will lock the plate 59 to the plate 65 and in effect hold the plate 59 rigid with the casing 50. However as the drive member B is rotating in reverse direction, as is illustrated in Figure 3 of the draw- Tings, the arms 52 will likewise move with the drive shaft B, and due to the slida-ble pivoting of the stem ends 61 of the attachments 54 in the clutch plate said attachments 54 will be oscillatively moved in their supporting arms 52- so that the same will swing from one side of the arms to which they are attached to the other side, as can readily be seen from Figures 2and, 3 of the drawings. Such action will throw the springs 57 so that their force will hold the clutch shoes .33 into engagement with the drum flange 22, and throw the clutch shoes 32 out of engagement therewith. In this manner, the arms 29 and are controlled by the attachments 54 and springs 57, so that an operator may. merely by holding the plates 59 and 65 into engagement, selectively place the clutch shoes 32 and 33 into engagement with the drum. 2) for forward or reverse driving of the member 4 accord ing to the forward or reverse rotation of d ri re shaft B. In order to stabilize the action of the clutch plate 59 and the arms 52. snitable roller members 77 may be provided upon said arms 52 for rolling contact with the side of the clutch plate 59. 7

Referring to the modified type of differential as illustrated in Figures 7, S. and 9, a drum 80 is provided. as a of the clutch arrangement J, which includes outer and inner annular flanges 81 and 82 respectively, concentrically mounted with respect to the drive'shaft G upon the driven member H. The inner flange 82 is provided with a circumferential slot 84 entirely thereahoirt. and

transversely therethrough, which construe tion can be effected by reason of the factthat the drum 80 is of a two part construc tion, including a. part 85 which is directly attached by the rivets 86 to the driven memher H, and an L--shaped part 87, which is atached by rivets 88 or the like tothe part 85. A sleeve 89 may be keyed, as at 90, to the shaft G within the drum (50; said sleeve 89 having arms 91 pivotally coi'inccterl as at 92 circum'lerentially thereahout. The arms 91 extend radially through the slow-34lof the inner drum flange 82, and. each pivotally provided with concave-convex clutch shoe segment 92. The proximate ends of adjacent clutch. shoes 92 are provided with at taching springs 93, normally under com-- pression, so that the linings 95 upon the concaved sides of the shoes 92 norn'ially held in engagement with the outer si t i inner flange 82. Thus, the sho ,2 are arranged in ring like Formations about the outer surface 90 of the .nncr flange 82.

Referring to the shit lngdevicc K of the modified form invention, the same includes a casing 100. which is li'xediy mounted upon a, stationary housing 101 provided for the 'drive'shatt G. A clutch device 102 is provided for cooperation within the drum S0, and which includes a platelOT-l freely mountedfor oscillation upon the drive sh aft (:1, having radial. slots 104C inwardly from one side 105 thereof. said slots being provided for receiving stem ends 106 of each of the arms 91. The stems 106 are provided upon each arm 91 intermediate the outer ends 100. Thus, the plate 110 while slidably mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to the drive shaft G, is prevented, by

reason of said pins 111, from rotational movement about said drive shaft G. Sprmgsll are preferably provided upon each of the pins 111 cooperating intermediate the heads 115 thereof and the partition portion 116 of the r wionary casing 100, whereby the plate 110 is normally held out offrictional engagement with the lined face 118 of the plate 103. Suitable bell crank levers 119 are rockably provided. on the stationary casing 100, having rods or like elements 120 pivotally provided thereon for operation of i said levers 119, whereby the pins 111 maybe depressed into the drum for it'orcing the clutch plate 110 into engagement with the clutch plate 103. a

In operation of th s modified form of in vontion, for Forward driving oi" the wheel H, the arms 91 will be positioned by reason of the rotation of thodrive shaft G so that the same will. exert a pulling action upon the 92', Due to the factthat said 92 are l'lfilillfilly held into on gagement with the inner fiange 82 otthe drum 80 by means of the springs 298, it is obvious that such tact, together with the puii'ing action exerted by the driveshatt G will result in the drive being transmitted to the drum 80 for rotation of the driven member H forwardly. Assuming it is desired to reverse the drive of the member H, it is necessary for the operator .to reverse the thrive of the axle G and throw the plates 110 and 103 into engagement. By such action, the stems 106 of the arms 91 are slittably pivotedto thoplate 103 so that the reverse drive 01 the axle G may be immediately transmittedsto said arms91 for-rocking (hitch. shoes clutch shoes tangential inclination otsaid arms 91 may be properly changed, for locking of the clutch shoes 92 With the inner flange .82 for reverse drive of the member 80. As is illustrated in Figuretl, thearms 91 are shownin radial position, which denotes the manner in which the clutch shoes 92 and arms 91 are positioned during a shifting operation.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that two forms of in'iprov'ed differential gearing have been provided, whichmay be used in connection with automotive vehicles, al though the use of the same is not sorestrictet. The preferred form of invention utilizes the connecting arms 29 and 30 thereof in transmitting a pushing action to the clutch shoes 32 and 33 for forcing them into engagement with the drum 20. On the other hand, the'i'nodifiedtorm of invention shows the manner in which arms 91 may be provided for transmitting a pulling action so that clutch shoes 92 may be held into engagement with a drum 80. The'improved mechanism may be mounted upon the inside or outside of the driven wheels as desired. In lieu oi the lat plate clutch devices 58 and 102 01 the preferred and modified forms of shittingdevices, cone clutch arrangements n'iay be substituted "lioreil'ecting the purpos for which they are'provided. v

Various changes in the shape, sizefarrangement oi: parts, and substitution of equivalents in be made to the forms of invention heron shown and described, With out departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A device'ot the class described comprising a drive member, clutch shoes arranged in sets, arms tangentially pivoted to said drive member and inclining in one direction peripherally thereof for supporting one set 0t clutch sl1oes,'and asecond' set of arms tangential y pivoted" to said drive member to incline in a direction opposite to the inclination'of said first mentioned arms forsupporting said second t; f

shoes in a different plane from the first mentioned set of shoes.

2. A device of the class described comprising a drive member, a drum, clutch shoes arranged in sets, arms tangentially pivoted to said drive member and inclining in one direction peripherally thereof for supporting one set of clutch shoes, a second set of arms tangentially pivoted to said drive member to incline in a direction opposite to the inclination of said first mentioned arms for receiving a second set of shoes, so that adjacent arms of different sets are disposed in crossed relation, and a link pivotally connecting the ends of the arms in crossed relation, whereby said arms may be moved for selectively positioning either of the sets of clutch shoes in engagement with said drum.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a drive member, a driven member, clutch shoes, arms pivotally connected at an end of each to said drive member, and pivotally connected at an end of each to said clutch shoes, and a link member pivotally connecting the ends of said arms adjacent their pivotal connections with said clutch shoes.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a drive member, a drum, a pairiof clutch shoes, a pair of arms having an end of each tangentially pivoted to said drive member and disposed in adjacent re lation to be pivotally connected at an end of each to said clutch shoes, a link pivotally connecting said arms adjacent their connections with said clutch shoes, a casing stationary with respect to said drive member, a clutch device comprising a member oscillatively mounted on said drive member having a slot therein, a second member slidable longitudinally of said drive member, fixed upon said stationary casing for longitudinal sliding with respect to said drive member and prevented from oscillative movement with respect thereto, an attachment pivoted With respect to said drive member having an end slidable inthe slot of said clutch device oscillating member, and a spring engaging the other end of said attachment and connecting the same to one of said arms adjacent the link.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a drive shaft, a driven member, a drum attached to said driven member, a sleeve attached in fixed relation to said drive shaft, arms pivotally connected to said sleeve in sets peripherally thereof, segmental clutch shoes adapted for cooperation with said drum pivotally connected in sets to the said sets of arms, fixed arms radially disposed upon said sleeve, attachments pivotally connected upon the ends of said sleeve arms, including springs connected to the arms of one set of clutch shoes, links pivotally connected upon one set of clutch shoe arms to hold the other set of clutch shoe arms in determined relation thereto, and means for shifting of said attachments so that the springs thereof may selectively hold one of said sets of clutch shoes in engagement with said drum, and hold the other set out of engagement with said drum, whereby said driven member may be operated for forward or reverse driving by said drive shaft.

6. A differential mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a driven member, a pair of expansible clutch shoe devices for connection of the drive shaft to said driven member to impart movement of the former to the latter, means connecting said pair of expansible clutch shoe structures for mutual cooperation whereby one of said shoes may connect the drive shaft to the driven member for forward drive, and the other for reverse drive, a supporting arrangement fixed upon said drive shaft, operating levers oscillatively carried by said support arrangement, springs connecting said levers to said Sets of expansible clutch shoes, and means for operating said levers whereby the springs thereof may be utilized in selective manner for maintaining either of the clutch shoes in position for operation of said driven member by said drive shaft.

7. A difierential mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a driven member, a drum supported by the driven member, a clutch shoe structure supported by the drive shaft for cooperation within the drum of the driven member whereby the latter may be drivenaccording to the directional drive of the drive shaft, and an operating clutch device including a plate oscillatively supported by the drive shaft having radial slots therein, means connecting said clutch shoe structure in the radial slots of said plate, said means being adapted for longitudinal sliding in said slots, a plate longitudinally slidable upon the driven shaft mounted against rotation thereon, and means for advancing said plate longitudinally of the drive shaft into engagement with said first mentioned plate whereby the latter may bemaintained in position for operating said clutch shoe structure.

" EDWARD M. BELL. 

